Estimated time required: 30-40 mins

Have you ever wondered what it is actually like go to a job interview? Whether you are about to do your first or your tenth, practising your answers via mock interviews can be key for success.

Over 14,000 people visited our virtual interview practice tool in 2020.

What is the Virtual Interview Practice tool?

The Virtual Interview Practice tool aims to recreate the experience of attending an interview through digital simulation. It’s a chance to prepare and get familiar with what a real interview might be like, and importantly rehearse your answers to a range of questions.

How do you use it?

Our handy tool lets you choose from five different kinds of virtual interviews. From first job to career changes, select the one which most suits you and rehearse your answers to the kind of questions you can expect whatever job you're going for. Boost your preparation by using the worksheet all around interviews.

Practice makes perfect, and our tool provides top interview tips next to our model answers. In addition, if using a webcam on a desktop or laptop computer, this tool allows you to record and play back your own answers to see how you come across and where you could improve.

We won’t store your video after you’ve finished watching it, so if you want to remember your best bits to use in a real interview, remember to make notes as you play them back.

The more you practise, the more confident you’ll feel about the real thing.

What do I need to use it?

All you need to get going with this tool is a free LifeSkills account. What’s more, if you have a webcam, you can record your answers and watch them back afterwards.

What key things do I need to think about?

• Will you use your webcam?
• What do you already know about the job you’re interviewing for?
• How can you adapt your previous experience to this role, whether that’s a part time job, volunteering or through hobbies?
• Think about a time where you worked well as a team
• Think about your strengths and areas of improvement

How long will it take?

The virtual interview should take up to 40 minutes, however you can extend this by redoing sections and watching yourself back and going through the model answers and the tips.

After you’ve completed the tool, why not put what you’ve learnt into practice and ask a friend or parent to give you a mock interview – so you can try out your example answers with them.

Extend your interview knowledge further by trying the online assessments tool. You can also visit our interviews hub for more tools and tips.